The day of Xavier and Wendy’s wedding arrived quickly.Starla hadn’t slept all night.When she walked downstairs, she saw Xavier dressed in a sleek, tailored suit, ready to leave to pick up his bride.She stood there, staring at him for a long moment.Her uncle was unbelievably handsome. The sharp cut of his suit only made him look even more striking.It wasn’t until he was about to walk out the door that Starla snapped out of her daze. She hurried forward, holding out a small gift. She handed it to him carefully and said, “Uncle Xavier, congratulations on your wedding.” She truly wished him happiness. Even if the person standing beside him for the rest of his life wouldn’t be her. Xavier took the gift from her, a complicated emotion flickering in his eyes. But Starla didn’t notice. She had already turned and gone back to her room. She had convinced herself that she shouldn’t love Xavier anymore. But she still couldn’t bring herself to watch the man she onc
Xavier and Wendy’s honeymoon lasted for two weeks. The moment Xavier pushed open the villa door, he immediately sensed something was off. The house was too quiet. Eerily quiet. It felt empty, almost abandoned. “Starla?” Xavier called out in a low voice. No response. Wendy, still clinging to his arm, smiled softly. “Is Starla still sulking?“You know how young girls are. She’s probably hiding in her room, pretending to ignore you.“We should have gone with her to visit her parents' graves, that was our mistake. But we really did have something urgent to take care of.“I even sent someone to explain it to her, but who would’ve thought she’d throw such a big tantrum.” Xavier’s expression gradually darkened. “She’s completely lost her sense of discipline.” Wendy laughed lightly, so understanding, so forgiving. “Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I’ll call her.” She dialed Starla’s number. The phone rang once. Then an automated voice echoed through the speak
“Who gave you permission to annul the identity of a living person? She’s not dead!” Xavier slammed his palm against the desk, his voice seething with rage. “You can’t even confirm whether someone is alive or not? Is this how you do your job?!” The officer flinched at his outburst and quickly tried to calm him down. “Mr. Lloyd, please don’t get agitated. We’ll call in the staff who handled the case and get to the bottom of this.” A few minutes later, another officer arrived with a document in hand. “Mr. Lloyd, Miss Xander’s identity records have indeed been annulled and she confirmed it herself.”The officer handed him a signed consent form. At the very bottom, in black ink on white paper, was Starla’s signature. Xavier recognized the handwriting instantly. It was hers. “She wasn’t alone when she came in,” the officer continued. “There was an older man with her—seemed to be one of her professors.“He had all the necessary paperwork, something about cancer an
A flicker of panic flashed in Wendy’s eyes. “I-I never stopped you from looking for her! I’m her aunt-in-law, too. Why wouldn’t I be worried about her?” Xavier let out a cold laugh. “Aunt-in-law? What kind of aunt-in-law are you?“The only reason I ever played along with this farce was for Starla’s sake. You were never really my wife. Did you actually believe you were Mrs. Lloyd?” Wendy barely managed to break free from his grip, forcing a strained smile. “I’m sorry, Xavier. I was just worried about you, afraid you’d be too heartbroken. I only wanted to comfort you.“If I upset you, I’ll leave…” But Xavier didn’t give her a chance to escape. Something had always felt off. And now, those doubts he had ignored were all coming back, falling into place. His expression darkened. Memories of that day at the hospital surfaced in his mind. He grabbed Wendy by the throat, his grip tightening. “Why didn’t the hospital detect Starla’s illness?“Where were you when
Xavier knew that he had brought all of this upon himself. If he hadn’t been so stubborn, if he had just faced Starla’s feelings honestly and openly, she wouldn’t have been forced into despair. She wouldn’t have left. Xavier collapsed onto the couch, a deep, aching bitterness settling in his chest.Wendy was right. No matter how much he had tried to deny it, deep down, he had felt the same way about Starla all along.He remembered a moment from Starla’s teenage years.One day, in passing, she had casually mentioned a boy in her class.A bright, kind boy she admired.It was just an offhand comment, something Starla mentioned casually, without much thought.But when Xavier heard it, his first reaction wasn’t amusement.It wasn’t happiness that she was growing up.It was jealousy.A deep, unshakable resentment.He couldn’t imagine a day when Starla would leave him—when she would fall into another man’s arms.No.He wouldn’t allow it.From that moment until she went
Xavier unfolded the letter, his breath catching the moment he saw Starla’s delicate handwriting. Dear Uncle Xavier, “By the time you read this, I will probably no longer be in this world.“I lost my parents early, and it was you who pulled me out of the darkness. You gave me warmth, shelter, and a place to belong.“When I was little, every time I was afraid of the dark, you would hold me in your arms and comfort me.“You don’t know this, but when you told me I was your miracle, it lit up my entire world.“Somewhere along the way, my dependence on you turned into something deeper—love.“My life has always been simple and barren. You were the only light in it, the only person I ever cared about.“But I suppose my feelings were never meant to bloom. They were destined to be buried in the mud, weren’t they?“I used to imagine what it would be like if I were the one standing beside you. How happy that would have been.“But Uncle Xavier, I don’t regret meeting you. You were the
Xavier’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, his voice low and almost dazed. “Professor Zimmer, where is Starla’s cryo-chamber?” Professor Zimmer let out a slow sigh. “It’s in the Arctic Ocean. She chose the location herself.” The Arctic Ocean? Xavier lowered his head with a bitter smile. She must have been so heartbroken. Heartbroken enough to choose a place so far away, so unbearably cold. Professor Zimmer continued, his voice laced with regret. “Our funding and technology are still limited. Right now, we can only monitor the cryo-chamber remotely and send a team down in a submarine for routine inspections. Building a lab in the Arctic isn’t feasible.“But thankfully,” he added with a reassuring look, “Starla’s condition is stable. Her body has been preserved perfectly, down to every last organ.“You can think of it as if she’s only sleeping. Just… for a very, very long time.” Xavier swallowed hard. His vision blurred as a sharp ache settled in his chest.
A few days later, Xavier finally arrived in the Arctic Ocean. The team sent by Professor Zimmer led him to a submarine, where he would see Starla’s cryogenic chamber for the first time. Inside, it was frozen solid—temperatures plummeting to dozens of degrees below zero. Yet outside, as Xavier stood before the chamber, his tears began to fall. He reached out, pressing his palm against the cold glass, as if somehow, through it, he could touch her. “Starla… I’m here.” His voice trembled. “I’m sorry, Starla. I lied to you.” He closed his eyes, memories of her laughter, her warmth, her smile flashing through his mind. “The truth is… I fell in love with you a long time ago. I never just saw you as my niece.” His chest tightened as he whispered, “Wendy was never my fiancée. The wedding, the photos—it was all fake.“I don’t love her. The only person I’ve ever loved… is you.” His breath came unsteady. “But I was too much of a coward to admit it.“If I ad
After a successful surgery, Starla gradually regained her health. One evening, as they strolled along the shore, Xavier finally told her everything that had happened while she was frozen.That was when Starla learned the truth—Wendy had never been his fiancée. Xavier had only brought her into his life for one reason: to make Starla give up on him.She stopped in her tracks, eyes wide. “So… you were lying to me the whole time? And I actually fell for it?!”Crossing her arms, she turned away with an indignant huff. “You made me miserable, Xavier. Why should I forgive you so easily?”Xavier didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t understand my own heart back then. And because of that… I hurt you.“I was wrong, Starla. Please forgive me.” Her pout faded into a smile as she leaned into his embrace. “Then tell me,” she asked teasingly, “when did you finally realize you liked me?” Xavier gazed out a
A week later, Xavier had finalized everything—his company, his affairs, and the letters he left behind for his parents and brother. Then, he purchased a private island near the Arctic Ocean and built a secure storage facility to house both his and Starla’s cryogenic chambers. With everything in place, Xavier stepped into the freezing pod. As the temperature dropped to subzero levels, his bodily functions slowed, his consciousness fading into darkness. When he opened his eyes again, fifty years had gone by.Fifty years later, the world was no longer the same.With advances in cryogenic science, many patients once frozen due to terminal illnesses had now been successfully revived. Breast cancer, once a death sentence, was now a fully treatable disease. Inside a high-tech research facility, doctors and engineers worked tirelessly, preparing to awaken Xavier and Starla from their half-century slumber. A sharp alarm shattered the decades-long silence. Frost coated the
Xavier sought out Professor Zimmer, the head of the project, and made his request. “I want to be cryogenically frozen. Place my chamber right next to Starla’s.” Professor Zimmer looked at him in shock. “Mr. Lloyd, are you absolutely sure about this?” He tried to dissuade him. “Cryogenic preservation comes with serious risks. The technology to successfully revive a human isn’t guaranteed. There’s a real possibility that you may never wake up.“Even if you do, there’s no certainty that you and Starla will ever be together again.” Xavier’s brows furrowed. “Why not?” Professor Zimmer sighed. “Have you considered what it would mean to wake up in the future? Even if revival technology advances, by then, your family and friends will be gone. You’ll have to adapt to an entirely new world. Are you truly prepared for that?“And what if Starla no longer feels the same way about you?” He met Xavier’s gaze, his voice heavy with caution. “Aren’t you afraid of regretting this decisio
A few days later, Xavier finally arrived in the Arctic Ocean. The team sent by Professor Zimmer led him to a submarine, where he would see Starla’s cryogenic chamber for the first time. Inside, it was frozen solid—temperatures plummeting to dozens of degrees below zero. Yet outside, as Xavier stood before the chamber, his tears began to fall. He reached out, pressing his palm against the cold glass, as if somehow, through it, he could touch her. “Starla… I’m here.” His voice trembled. “I’m sorry, Starla. I lied to you.” He closed his eyes, memories of her laughter, her warmth, her smile flashing through his mind. “The truth is… I fell in love with you a long time ago. I never just saw you as my niece.” His chest tightened as he whispered, “Wendy was never my fiancée. The wedding, the photos—it was all fake.“I don’t love her. The only person I’ve ever loved… is you.” His breath came unsteady. “But I was too much of a coward to admit it.“If I ad
Xavier’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, his voice low and almost dazed. “Professor Zimmer, where is Starla’s cryo-chamber?” Professor Zimmer let out a slow sigh. “It’s in the Arctic Ocean. She chose the location herself.” The Arctic Ocean? Xavier lowered his head with a bitter smile. She must have been so heartbroken. Heartbroken enough to choose a place so far away, so unbearably cold. Professor Zimmer continued, his voice laced with regret. “Our funding and technology are still limited. Right now, we can only monitor the cryo-chamber remotely and send a team down in a submarine for routine inspections. Building a lab in the Arctic isn’t feasible.“But thankfully,” he added with a reassuring look, “Starla’s condition is stable. Her body has been preserved perfectly, down to every last organ.“You can think of it as if she’s only sleeping. Just… for a very, very long time.” Xavier swallowed hard. His vision blurred as a sharp ache settled in his chest.
Xavier unfolded the letter, his breath catching the moment he saw Starla’s delicate handwriting. Dear Uncle Xavier, “By the time you read this, I will probably no longer be in this world.“I lost my parents early, and it was you who pulled me out of the darkness. You gave me warmth, shelter, and a place to belong.“When I was little, every time I was afraid of the dark, you would hold me in your arms and comfort me.“You don’t know this, but when you told me I was your miracle, it lit up my entire world.“Somewhere along the way, my dependence on you turned into something deeper—love.“My life has always been simple and barren. You were the only light in it, the only person I ever cared about.“But I suppose my feelings were never meant to bloom. They were destined to be buried in the mud, weren’t they?“I used to imagine what it would be like if I were the one standing beside you. How happy that would have been.“But Uncle Xavier, I don’t regret meeting you. You were the
Xavier knew that he had brought all of this upon himself. If he hadn’t been so stubborn, if he had just faced Starla’s feelings honestly and openly, she wouldn’t have been forced into despair. She wouldn’t have left. Xavier collapsed onto the couch, a deep, aching bitterness settling in his chest.Wendy was right. No matter how much he had tried to deny it, deep down, he had felt the same way about Starla all along.He remembered a moment from Starla’s teenage years.One day, in passing, she had casually mentioned a boy in her class.A bright, kind boy she admired.It was just an offhand comment, something Starla mentioned casually, without much thought.But when Xavier heard it, his first reaction wasn’t amusement.It wasn’t happiness that she was growing up.It was jealousy.A deep, unshakable resentment.He couldn’t imagine a day when Starla would leave him—when she would fall into another man’s arms.No.He wouldn’t allow it.From that moment until she went
A flicker of panic flashed in Wendy’s eyes. “I-I never stopped you from looking for her! I’m her aunt-in-law, too. Why wouldn’t I be worried about her?” Xavier let out a cold laugh. “Aunt-in-law? What kind of aunt-in-law are you?“The only reason I ever played along with this farce was for Starla’s sake. You were never really my wife. Did you actually believe you were Mrs. Lloyd?” Wendy barely managed to break free from his grip, forcing a strained smile. “I’m sorry, Xavier. I was just worried about you, afraid you’d be too heartbroken. I only wanted to comfort you.“If I upset you, I’ll leave…” But Xavier didn’t give her a chance to escape. Something had always felt off. And now, those doubts he had ignored were all coming back, falling into place. His expression darkened. Memories of that day at the hospital surfaced in his mind. He grabbed Wendy by the throat, his grip tightening. “Why didn’t the hospital detect Starla’s illness?“Where were you when
“Who gave you permission to annul the identity of a living person? She’s not dead!” Xavier slammed his palm against the desk, his voice seething with rage. “You can’t even confirm whether someone is alive or not? Is this how you do your job?!” The officer flinched at his outburst and quickly tried to calm him down. “Mr. Lloyd, please don’t get agitated. We’ll call in the staff who handled the case and get to the bottom of this.” A few minutes later, another officer arrived with a document in hand. “Mr. Lloyd, Miss Xander’s identity records have indeed been annulled and she confirmed it herself.”The officer handed him a signed consent form. At the very bottom, in black ink on white paper, was Starla’s signature. Xavier recognized the handwriting instantly. It was hers. “She wasn’t alone when she came in,” the officer continued. “There was an older man with her—seemed to be one of her professors.“He had all the necessary paperwork, something about cancer an